Vermont Study 1920

Rockwell Kent painted this “Vermont Study” with oil on what looks like a small panel. The way Kent applies these contrasting colors feels almost topographical, like he’s mapping out the landscape. See how the paint is laid on pretty thick, especially in those warm oranges and yellows of the hills? It’s like he's building up the land itself, layer by layer. Look closely and you can almost feel the chill of those blues and purples creeping in, shadowing the curves of the land. There's this one spot, right where the orange hill meets the dark blue shadow, it’s not a smooth blend but a definite edge, almost aggressive. This creates a cool tension, like the land is holding its breath before the cold sets in. This reminds me of Marsden Hartley's landscapes; both artists find a kind of raw beauty in the American landscape, but Kent brings a graphic sensibility that feels very contemporary. It’s a reminder that paintings aren't just pictures, they're conversations across time, with each artist adding their own voice and vision.